Provincial Section

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 110, 2 February 1934, Page 6

Provincial Section

BUILDING ACTIVITY

Increase at Masterton WAIRARAPA JOTTINGS Dominion Special Service. Masterton, February 1. There was a substantial increase in the capital value of building permits issued by the Masterton Borough Council during January, over the amount expended on building works in the borough during the of ten permits were issued .uring the corresponding period last year. A total of ten points were issued during the month, the total, value of the work being £3737/10/-, as compared with nine permits valued at £547/9/2, during January of last year. Five permits were for the erection of new dwellings, while the remaining five were for additions, and alterations. A permit for the work of renovating and strengthening the local fire station, at present in hand, was included. No building permits were issued by the Masterton County Council during the month. Vital Statistics. A decided decrease in the number of births and an increase in the number of deaths as compared with the corresponding period last year, are noticeable in vital statistics for Masterton for the month of January. Following are the statistics for the month, the figures for the corresponding period last year being given in parentheses: . Births, 12 (23); deaths, 15 (6) ; and marriages. 5 (5). The figures for Carterton are: Births, 5; deaths, 0; marriages, 2. Issue of Drivers’ Licenses.

During the month of January a total of 29'motor drivers’ licensed were issued by the Masterton Borough Council, bringing the total for the current licensing year to 1626. The Masterton County Council issued 27 licenses during the month, making the present licensing year’s total to date, 1047. Pleasant Tenuis Afternoon.

The first of a scries of special afternoons for women members of the Memorial Lawn Tennis Club was held in the club courts in beautiful weather yesterday. There was a good attendance, which augurs well for the success of the innovation. A Yankee doubles tournament, conducted during the afternoon, was won by Mesdames Beecroft and L. T. Wylie. The next afternoon will be held on Thursday next.

Study of Currency Reform. An Economy Society, having as its object the study of currency reform questions, and the promotion of interest in monetary reform, has been formed in Carterton. It is intended to hold weekly meetings. The following officers have been elected: —President, Mr. B. Roberts; vice-president, Mr. M. T. Horngby; secretary and treasurer, Mr. K. O’Brien; librarian, Mr. P. Shankland; executive, Messrs. B. Roberts, M. T. Hornsby, K. O’Brien. A. Blair, R. Gunn, and T. A. Jones.

Swimming Club Events. Results of events decided at the Masterton Amateur Swimming and Life Saving Club’s weekly meeting, held at the Dixon Street Baths' last evening, are as follow:—100 yards senior handicap: Jack Barnes (scr.). 1: B. Bodie (ssec.), 2; James Barnes (9sec.), 3. Time, 70sec. 75 yards intermediate: F. Long (scr), 1; L. Macguire (scr.), 2; F. Bodie (Isec.), 3. Time, 57sec. 50 yards junior boys!: C. Harvey (scr.), 1; C. Andrew (Ssec.), 2. Dive: Jack Barnes. 1; C. Petersen, 2; Richards and James Barnes, dead heat, 3.

MANAWATU RECORD LOWERED Swimming Championships Palnu’.rsUui North, February 1. The Manawatu men’s 50yds. free-style and the Manawatu women’s 100yds. freestyle championships, were decided.at the Y.M.C.A. .Swimming Club’s, carnival in the Municipal Baths last night. In the former event, D. Lindsay (Dannevirke) broke the time for the event. The results were as follow : — Men's 50yds. Free-style Championship (Holder: P. Gleeson). —D. Lindsay (Dannevirke), 1; D. Simmonds (Central), 2_; G. Kenning (Central), 3. Time, 27 3-5. Lindsay won easily, and lowered C. Judd’s record of 28 1-5. Women’s 100yds. Free-style Championship (Holder: Miss P. S-porle).—'Miss P. Sporle (Feilding), 1. Only starter. Time, 74.

COMPETITIONS FOR FIREMEN Carterton Brigade Events Carterton, February 1. The annual shield competitions under the auspices of the Carterton Volunteer Fire .Brigade, were decided, last evening. . The teams were as follow S— Foreman- J. Churchouse, Firemen L. Clark, A. Steffiert, J. Steven, Messenger J. Harp. Station Officer R. F. Tauchcr, Motorman H. M. Catt, Fireman I. H, Knutson, P. Beere, H. Matson. Superintendent R. P. Wakelin, Firemen G. Steffert, G. Crothers, J. Denby, D. F. Jackson. The officials were: Judges and timekeepers, ex-Captain E. McKenzie, and Deputy-Superintendent M. F. King; examiner, Mr. J. Lenihan ; starter, -Secretary R, Smith. - The times for the different events were as follow:— Three Men Motor.—Supt. Wakelin’s No. 1 team, 17sec.; No. 2 team, 10 l-ssec.; total, 33 l-ssec. Foreman Churehouse’s No. 1 team, 18sec.; No. 2 team, 15 3-asec.; total, 33 3-osec. ■Station Ollicer Taucher’s No. 1 team, lOsec (plus ssec. penalty), 2‘lsec.; No. 2 team, ISsec.; total, 42sec. Pointe awarded: Wakelin, 20; Churchouse, 16; Taucher, 12. Five Men Carry.—Wakelin, 29sec.; Churchouse,. 28 . 4-ssec.; Taucher, 30 3-ssec. Points awarded: Churchouse, 20; Wakelin, 16; Taucher, 12. Five Men Carry (with union). —Wakelin, 36 3-ssec.; Churchouse 36 l-ssec.; Taucher, 39 4-ssec. Points awarded: Churchouse, 20; Wakelin, 16; Taucher, 12. The total points earned by each competing team were: Foreman Churchouse, (56), 1; Superintendent Wakelin (52). 2; Station Officer Tauchcr (36), 3. CHARGES OF THEFT Men Remanded at Palmerston Palmerston North. February 1. A charge of stealing 11/- from W. W. Jones at Palmerston North was preferred against George McKay, salesman, aged 57 years, iu the Police Court this morning, before Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M. “We do not know anything about this man, but his method in this ease shows that he has bad previous experience,” said Senior-Sergeant Whitehouse in asking for a remand until February 7. Garfield Henry Cartwright, farm labourer, aged 22 years, was remanded to appear on February 7 on a charge of stealing a bicycle valued at £6/10/-.

THREE RECENT MOVES

Developing Australian Meat Trade THE RECENT BIG MERGER The importance of the merger of an Australian meat exporting company and a company belonging to the Vestey group (announced iu "The Dominion” cablegrams last week) is better realised in conjunction with three developments in the trade during the last IS months, says the “Sydney Morning Herald,” Those developments are the agreement made at the Ottawa Conference respecting the marketing of Dominion meat in Britain; the Success which has recently been attending experimental shipments of chilled beef to England; and the reported intention of the Blue Star Line (which is controlled >by Vesteys) to enter the Australian trade.

Ottawa’s Outstanding Result. The merger is between W. Angliss and Co (Aust.), Pty., Ltd., and W. Weddel and Co.. Ltd. Mr. W. Angliss, who will continue as governing director of the company for Australia, has declared that the merger was made in view of the great possibilities of closer co-operation in the marketing and distribution of Australian products in Great Britain as a consequence of the Ottawa agreements. Mr. Angliss added that Weddel and Co. had always been among the leaders in the chilled beef business, and its interest 'in developing this new Empire trade was one of the chief reasons for the alliance. In a recent letter to the Minister for Commerce (Mr. Stewart), Mr. Angliss declared that the value of the Ottawa agreement, to the meat industry had been almost incalculable, since the export parity in Australia raised the prices of all sheep and lambs to some extent throughout Australia. Its value to producers could, therefore, be counted in millions of pounds, and this had especial application to New South Wales and Victoria, which were the principal mutton and lamb exporting States. Restricting the Supplies. The arrangement made at Ottawa with regard to meat was outstanding as a preferential plan, because it provided for the quantitative regulations of supplies rather that the imposition of duties against foreign imports. The dual objective was to protect the British meat producer, and, to afford to the Dominions an increasing tsihare of the import trade. At the time of the Ottawa Conference, which Mr. Angliss attended as a consultant, both British and Australian producers of meat were operating in extremely adverse circumstances. Prices of all classes of meat were at a low level. The low prices of all imported meats, -were affecting both Australian and British producers, the prices of British fresh-killed meat being below the cost of ipdoductioa. The British market was dominated by the huge volume of foreign supplies. The United Kingdom was importing more than 1,500,000 tons of meat annually—--460,000 tons of chilled beef from foreign countries; 135,000 tons, of frozen beef, of which Australia supplied about 40 per cent.; 350,000 tons of mutton and lamb, of which Australia supplied 20 per cent.; and 650,000 tons of pig meats, almost entirely from foreign countries. It was this huge volume of foreign imports that had led to the low prices then ruling. Developing Trade. It was necessary to prepare the ground for the prospective development of a chilled beef trade from Australia and for the maintenance of Australia’s export. trade in mutton and lamb. The protection of the /Australian trade m 'beef mutton, and lamb could only be secured bv a considerable diminution in foreign supplies. Mutton and lamb could only be secured by a duty which would have had the effect of diverting supplies to other markets! and would not tave been .effective in the case of meat, because there were no other markets to which foreign supplies could be diverted. The arrangement adopted at Ottawa closely conformed to the plan proposed by Australia. The United Kingdom declared that the objectives of the plan were to increase the wholesale prices of meat and to secure to the Dominions an increasing share of the United Kingdom imports. The increase in the wholesale prices could be secured, under existing conditions, only by a diminution in supply, and it was agreed that restrictions should be imposed upon foreign suppliers. In consideration of the steps taken by the British Government, the Dominions also agreed temporarily to limit their exports of frozen meat. Increase in Prices. The effect of the agreement has been to increase considerably the prices of mutton and lamb, and to ensure to Australian producers of those commodities a profitable return for their production. Prices of chilled beef before the Ottawa Agreement were from to 5Jd. At the close of last year they were from 3id. to 6d. During the same, period prices of Australian frozen beef increased from 2d- and 3Jd. to 2 5-Sd. and 3Jd. Australian mutton prices increased from 2Jd. to 4}d., and lamb prices from 4-Jd. to 6jd. The improvement in prices of mutton and lamb is claimed to be directly due to the operation of the Ottawa Agreement. ■ , . The price of Australian frozen beef has not maintained a permanent improvement, although at times it has higher than its present level. The. difficulty in its marketing is to sell it in competition with the fresh home-killed beef and the imported chilled beef, and the reduction in the total quantities which has benefited other classes of meat cannot make frozen beef popular. Chilled Beef SliipmentsDuring the last 12 months considerable advances have been made in , the transport of beef in a chilled condition from Australia to the United Kingdom, and there are declared among Federal Ministers to be grounds for home that the Commercial transport of chilled beef will be much expanded in the near future. The Federal Government has been associated with these experiments, and Ministers look forward to their development on a scale which will assist the Australian beef export industry out of ■the unfortunate position in which it has been placed for a number of years. AMATEUR ATHLETICS Good Contests at Masterton Masterton, February 1. Large fields faced the starter iu almost every event decided at the Masterton Amateur Athletic Club’s gathering, held on Hie Park Oval under ideal conditions last evenin'’- The track was in good order, and the performances of competitors were well in keeping with the standards set at previous meetings. Following are the results:--100 Yards. —Pye, 1; Vlbert, 2; Watson, 3. Time, 11.0. „ Half-mile Cycle.—Orr, 1; W. Pye, L. Saver, 3. Time, 65. To Yards, Boys.—Taylor, 1; B. Mosen, 2; j> Cairns, «>. 300 Yards.—Pye, 1; Watson. 2; Vibert, and Cairns, equal. 3. Time, 33. 75 Yards, Girls.—Al. Fulton, 1; T. Fulton, 2: Thorpe.-3. , Two Miles Cycle.—lS. Sayer. 1; G. Tinkler, 2; T. McCord, 3. Time, ‘1.40. Half-mile Cycle, Boys.—Gray, 1; Henson, 2: Griffiths, 3. . 100 Yards. Girls—T. Fulton,T; M. lullton, 2: Thorpe, 3. 100 Yards, Boys.—Codlin, 1; Mason. 2; Lee. 3. „ . . SSO Yards.—Talbot, 1; Cairns, 2. 'lime, 2.3 3-5. Long Jump.—Brennan, 20ft. flin., 1; Talbot, 20ft. tin., 2; Cairns, 10ft. Ilin., 3. Hop Step, and Jump.—Brennan, 41ft.. 1; Umni.’-lOft. HJIn.. 2; Cairns, 30ft. Sin., 3.

NEW ZEALAND BUTTER

Allegation of Dumping AN EFFECTIVE REPLY The extraordinary statement was made recently in responsible quarters in England that while New Zealand butter was selling in England at 7d. a pound it was selling iu the Dominion at 2/- to 2/6. The London manager of the New Zealand Dairy Board, Mr. H. E. Davis, refutes the absurd statement in a letter to the editor of the "Birmingham Post’ of December 27. The letter is as follows : — . The widely-published allegation that New Zealand butter is beiug dumped on the British market “in breach of the spirit of the Ottawa Agreements” calls for emphatic refutation in the interests both of the Dominion producers and of the maintenance of mutual goodwill. . While the question of the quantitative regulation of dairy imports into the United Kingdom is still under the consideration of the Governments at Home and in New Zealand, I should be reluctant to enter into broad controversial issues. I do desire, however, to repudiate the suggestion, reported to have been made first at farmers’ gatherings and subsequently at a meeting of the Conservative Parliamentary Agricultural Committee, that while New Zealand butter is being sold in this country at 7d. a lb., the charge to the public in New Zealand is 2/3 or 2/6 a lb. The effect of the publication of these figures has been to create a widespread impression that New Zealand is deliberately selling below her own domestic price. Both figures are utterly incorrect. In reply to an inquiry, the New Zealand Dairy Produce Board has cabled me stating that the maximum current price for butter in New Zealand is lOd. a lb., which is certainly no higher’ than the average price in this country; while the Secretary for the Dominions, in answer to a question in the House of Commons the other day, quoted confirmatory wholesale prices and added the observation that he understood that the price in New Zealand was identical with the London price, subject to an allowance in respect of shipping charges. May I add that New Zeaalnd, which has built up its trade in this country by scientific marketing, coupled with substantial advertising, has kept strictly to the letter and spirit of the Ottawa Agreements, and it is therefore deplorable that responsible agriculturists and members of Parliament should have been associated, wittingly or unwittingly, with grossly incorrect statements made apparently with the object of bolstering up an insubstantial charge of dumping. Again,- I assure the British public that there exists no subsidy in any form in regard to the export of butter from New Zealand, and that no unfair competitive practices whatever are resorted to. Neither is production stimulated by pooling, nor export encouraged at the expense of an artificially maintained domestic price. CATTLE FOR ENGLAND Shipment From Canada A shipment of cattle from Canada was landeel at the Port of London on Christmas Day. This is the first time for 20 years that live cattle have been imported direct to London, and has been made possible by the new lairages recently opened by Lord Ritchie, chairman of the Port of London Authority. . Hitherto supplies of live cattle have been brought into England by Birkenhead, but the opening of lairages at Tilbury, with facilities for importing cattle into the Port of London itself, is claimed to reduce freights and cheapen cost. Of the 608 cattle embarked on the s.s. Nidarholm, 605 were landed, three having died on the voyage, which was prolonged owing to bad weather. The arrival of the vessel kept a band of men at work on Christmas Day, drovers being brought in from Gravesend and Romford to assist the removal of the animals from ship to shore. Butchers, who motored from London to the docks, had bought many of the beasts before they had been penned long, and later the first cattle train from the new lairages brought many animals to London. SUPREME COURT Session at Palmerston Next Week Palmerston North, February 1. The first quarterly sitting of the Supreme Court for 1934 will open at Palmerston North on Tuesday next.. His Honour Mr. Justice Blair will preside. . The calendar included, two criminal cases for trial. One of these cases involves three charges of alleged theft, and a similar number of charges of alleged receiving. The other case is one of negligent driving, causing death. There is one prisoner for sentence on a charge of assault with attempt to rob. One civil case and a divorce action will be heard before the judge and jury. Two civil actions will he heard by the judge alone, in addition to an originating summons, three appeals, and two cases under the Stamp Duties Act with regard to the assessment of duty. Nine divorce cases and nine applications for discharge from bankruptcy will be heard. The calendar does not mention , a motion by the Palmerston North City Council for an injunction in connection with the Manawatu-Croua Power Board’s rating proposals. CRICKET RESULTS AND FIXTURES Manawatu Mid-week Matches Palmerston North, February 1. In the Manawatu Cricket Association s mid-week competition yesterday afternoon. Unemployed A (256 for seven wickets, declared), secured a first innings win over Combined Services B (159) ; I .D.C. (95 for six wickets) drew with Combined Services A (214) ; and Optimists (146), drew with Unemployed B (106 for three wickets). The best balsmen were:—Matson (Unemployed A). 87 not. out; Weston (Unemployed A), 75; J. Ousley (Combined Services B), 65. Against P.D.C.. Combined Services A scored 53 extras. Wairarapa Fixtures Masterton, February 1. After a break of about six weeks, on account of holidays, representative matches and the knock-out competitions, now completed, the Wairarapa Cricket Association’s championship competitions in the senior and junior grades, will be resumed on Saturday. Following is the draw:— Senior: Lansdowne v. High School, at Park Oval: Red Star v. Old Boys, nt Hiirh School. Junior: Rihl Star v. High School, at High School; Oddfellows v. M.C.C., at Park Oval.

INCREASE RECORDED

Customs and Excise Duty ITEMS FROM WANGANUI Dominion Special Service. Wanganui, February 1. Increases are recorded in the total collections,of petrol tax, beer duty, and tire tax during the month of January, 1934, as compared with the amounts obtained in the same month last year. There was a slight decrease in Customs revenue. In January, 1934, Customs provided a total of £4309/15/10, coin pared with £4346 14/4 in January, 1933. Beer duty collected during January, 1934, amounted to £535/11/-, against a total of £483 9/3 for the same month Inst year. Tire tax increased from £73/16/- in January, 1933, to. £243/8/- in January of this year, and petrol tax went up from £ll3l 13/- to £2126/4/6. The amount of sales tax collected in January, 1934, was £2774/11/9, representing an increase of £449/8/- on the total obtained in December, 1933.

Escapee Remanded. George James Cullen, alias James Murray, appeared at the Police Court this morning to answer a charge of escaping from lawful custody at Waikune prison camp, near National Park, on March 29. 1928. lie was remanded for a wee's. The police have other charges pending, and in view of the fact that information of his escape was not laid within six months of (he time it took place the matter will automatically come before the Supreme Court.

Free Ambulance. A free ambulance service has been operating in Wanganui for the past seven months, and during that period, has answered 200 calls and travelled 5000 miles. In one instance a call from Auckland was answeredMAN SENT TO GAOL Obtained Goods by False Pretences Carterton, February 1. Stories of how a young man obtained goods, money, and credit by false pretences, were related in the Carterton Police Court yesterday, when Frederick Flood, aged 25 years, faced a charge of obtaining goods to the value of £4/13/6 from the Carterton branch of the W.F.0.A., Ltd., by false pretences. ■ Accused pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment. Another charge against accused, that of obtaining money and credit from the proprietor of a local hotel, was withdrawn, the licensee not wishing to proceed. It was stated accused called at the_ store and purchased clothes and groceries in the name of a local resident. He tokk the clothes with him, and left instructions for the groceries to be delivered. When this was done, it was discovered that the local resident had given no instructions for the goods to be delivered or purchased on her behalf. On another occasion, the police explained, accused had telephoned a Carterton hotel and represented himself as a wellknown Masterton farmer, who had sent him (Flood) to Carterton to collect a dog from the railway station, but had forgotten' to give him any money. The licensee was asked to finance the man when he called. Flood later called, and was given £1 and his food by the licensee. It was later ascertained that there was no dog at the station, and that no dog was expected. The matter was reported to the police, who traced Flood to Masterton, and next day Flood arrived at the hotel and repaid the £l, and the charge against him of obtaining money and credit on false pretences was withdrawn, the licensee not wishing to proceed. Accused, it was stated, had been before the court before on charges of a similar nature, and his being placed on probation appeared to have had no deterrent effect. HOUSES MENACED Grass Fire at Masterton Masferion. February 1. A grass fire near the_ Dixon Street boundary fence of Memorial Park, about 10.30 o’clock this morning, caused a certain amount of apprehension among residents in the vicinity. Fanned by a light breeze, the flames spread rapidly through the long dry grass toward a group of newly-erected dwellings in Herbert Street. However, on the arrival of the Fire Brigade the outbreak was quickly under control. A party of beaters, including some of the -womenfolk, whose homes were menaced, armed with sacks, rendered the brigadesmen valuable assistance. At one peribu the 'Slimes were within a yard or twiv °£ the back door of a new residence in Dixon Street. Apart from the destruction of a fairly large -area of grass, no damage was done. STEADY ADVANCE Dairy Produce Output Dairy production in New Zealand appears to have settled at a steady advance of from 5 to 6 per cent, on the output for the previous season. However, owing to rapid strides in production during the first few months of the season, the total gradings of butter to the end of December showed an increase of 14 per cent, on those of the previous season; Official production figures are no longer issued by the dairy division of the Department of Agriculture, but unofficial returns show that 19.903 tons of butter were graded during December, compared with 19,940 tons iu November, and lb,bob tons in December, 1932- Th° Vn-jo’” I ®- over the gradings for December, 1932. is about 6 per cent. -■ ■ For the five months of the current season. 75,182 tons of butter were graded, against 65.930 tons in the corresponding period of the 1932-33 season This is an increase oii 9252 tons, or about 14 per cent. The larger percentage increase for the period' is due to high gradings in the earlier months, the August figures lie.. 40 per cent, higher than in August. 1932. INTER-CLUB BOWLS Palmerston Beat Levin Levin, February 1. Five rffiks of bowlers from the Palmerston North Bowling Club visited the Levin club yesterday afternoon to en--a'e in friendly matches. Palmerston North won three matches and Levm won results were as follow, Palmerston North rinks beiug mentioned first -— Croud, Bayliss, Morris S. Bayliss (s. , lost to Pink. Percy, Robby, Langelan (sJ, 7-31; Edwards. Kells, Jones Bary s. , ho-x- Mackav Fox. Shennau. Walker (s.), 34-7 Trehev, Wimsett, McLeod Sparrow’ (s.), beat Anderson, Bryant, Cameron, Chailies (s.). 23-17; Crawlord Colquhoun, Stevenson, laton (s.) beat Towel! Higson. Pike, Bull (».), “•’■'J . Proctor. Fi-ew. Tapp. Anderson (s.), lost to How,' Park. Brown, Clcnnnents (s.). 13 The Levin club will visit tbe Palmerston North club on February 21.

POSITION SERIOUS

Rabbit Pest in Hawke’s Bay WORST FOR SOME YEARS Dominion Special Service. Napier, February 1. The seriousness of the rabbit pest i D ( (Hawke’s Bay was stressed by the secrc-' tary of the Hawke’s Bay Board of Rabbit 1 Trustees, Mr. J. W, Findlay, in the course of an interview. In his opinion many farmers of this district treat the problem too lightly, and do not realise they are heaping trouble on their neighbours if they fail to do all in their power to combat the nuisance. “At the present, time,” he said, “the pest is a greater problem than it has been for many years, owing to the favourable seu-j son and splendid cover for rabbits. By splendid cover I mean the gorse, blackiberry, thistle, and other netrious weeds in which the rabbits can take such good cover. These noxious weeds have thrived this season owing to the abundant rainfall. When rabbits find plenty of cover, they are given far more opportunities of increasing. From what I can gather from tbe monthly reports of the board’s inspectors, the season seems to regulate the, increase or decrease of the pest.” Another reason why the rabbits were! so numerous this season was that, owing to the difficult times, most farmers were unable to spend so much money on eliminating the pest as they had in the. past. Sheep and dairy farmers had had such a bad time of late that the board was trying to nurse them as much as possible in regard to the rabbit pest. Hence the board was being more lenient than it might be. “I am afraid that many farmers do not realise the danger to themselves of failing to cope with the pest to the best of their ability,” he went on. “Theyi seem to treat the matter too lightly. One' bad farmer in a district can cause a lot of I injury, because his neighbours all become affected through his nerlect. A good farmer will not allow a rabbit to eat a blade of grass-which he can keep for a sheep.” Dealing with the best methods of combating the nuisance, Mr. Findlay said that the methods of rabbit inspectors depended on the nature of the country. Iu places where dogs could not go, a comparatively new poison known as cyanogas was proving quite successful. .Where the climate was suitable, a mixture of ■phosphorus and pollard was quite suitable. The chief difficulty with exposed poisons, however, was that stock had toj be temporarily removed, else they as well' as the rabbits would suffer.

So far as Hawke’s Bay was concerned,! there were more rabbits in the south than in the north this year. It was strange.' Mr. Findlay thought, that, the farther, xme went north, the fewer rabbits there were to be seen. They were not so plentiful in closely-settled country, because they had less chance of increasing than in the wider and less-settled parts. In the .South Inland the problem was a ■grave one indeed; so grave that_ many farmers had been compelled to give up their farms. “It has not come to this in the North Island yet,” concluded Mr. Findlay. FOXTON NOTES Shipping Manager Farewelled Foxton, February 1. Prior to his departure for Auckland, whore he 'has been transferred as a result of the New Zealand Shipping Company closing its Foxton branch following the destruction of the company’s premises .by fire recently, Mr. R. D. Meyer, local manager of the company for the past 33 years was publicly farewelled. Mr. J. K. Hornblow, president of the Foxton Chamber of Commerce, presented Mr. Meyer with a travelling rug from the citizens of the town as a token of esteem and wished him the best of health and .prosperity. Mr. W. E. Barber, chairman of the Manawatu County Council, the Rev. IL S. Kenney, All Saints’ Church, Mr. E. W. Sutton, representing flaxmilling interests, Mr. H. Osborne, shipping, Mr. W. Robson, stationmaster, Mr. .W. R. McKenzie, postmaster, and many other speakers eulogised the work of Mr. Meyer during his sojourn in Foxton. Mrs. Meyer was the recipient of a travelling bag from All Saints’ Ladies Guild.

Bowling. Shannon were unsuccessful in a challenge match with Foxton for th? KinneIberg Feathers on the Foxton bowling ■green on Wednesday. Foxton won 22-15, The holders of the Nye Ferns were defeated by a challenging team, 23-16.

.Oddfellows’ Lodgn. Bro. H. M. Keesing, P.D.G.M., paid a visit .to the Foxton Oddfellows’ Lodge on Tuesday and addressed the brethren. ■Bro. W. G. Nye was elected to represent the lodge at district conference at Taihape. Cricket. The results of Saturday’s matches were as follow:—Fire Brigade, 28S for five, declared, v. Y.M.P. B, 17 for six; Foxton Druids, 55, v. Oroua Downs A, 37 and 48 for three; Y.M.P. A, 191 for four, -declared, v. Oroua Downs B, 29 for six. PAHIATUA SHOW Excellent entries are coming to hand for ■the.Paliiatua Show, to be held on Friday. February 16, 'and Indications point to tho gathering being one of the most successful in the history of the association.- The chopping contests, which -proved so popular last year, are again 'being featured, and these spectacular events are attracting very large entries. Valuable cups and rose bowls are being offered for competition in most sections of the show, while the prize money is well, up to previous years. There are no fewer than five jumping contests. Entries close on Thursday next with the secretary (Mr. J. A. Walsh), from whom schedules may be obtained. WHEN BETTY WATERED THE GARDEN Gardening held a great fascination for young Betty, who loved to help her father tidying and watering the flowers and lawns. Just about a week ago Betty’s parents happened to be away for the afternoon, and the young enthusiast immediately made herself useful. But things didn’t go quite right. Betty had more trouble, than she had bargained for with the hose, and received more than her share of the waler. When Mother and Father returned they found a very unhappy Betty in her room, cold, wet, and crying. ! But Mother knew how to handle the situation. A few doses of Betty’s favourite—Baxter’s Lung Preserververy soon put things right, and. the little lady quickly forgets her mishap. Many mothers say they don’t know how they could manage without “Baxter’s.” In holiday time especially, when kiddies are always up to mischief, “Baxter’s” is in continual demand. No wonder most motheds make a point of keeping a bottle of “Baxter’s”' in the house at ail times. “Baxter’s” Is unequalled as a remedy for all coughs, colds, and chills, and kiddies all like the rich, warming, soothing compound, that quickly drives a cold away. “Baxter’s” lias excel ten tonic properties, too. Order a bottle with your next groceries or next time you visit tbe chemist. Three sizes, 1/6. 2/6. and 4/6.—Advt.